Leeds Target Addiditional Defender As They Close In On Serie A Pair | OneFootball

Leeds United Push for Oumar Solet as Defensive Rebuild Gathers Pace

Leeds United are moving with intent in the market, and the latest name refusing to go away is Oumar Solet. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds are still pressing for the Udinese centre-back even with Tarik Muharemović nearing arrival. That matters, because it tells you this is not contingency planning, it is squad building.

The key point is simple. Leeds do not appear to see Muharemović and Solet as alternatives. They see them as separate pieces of the same defensive reset. For a promoted side, or any side trying to stabilise, that is sensible. Depth at centre-back disappears quickly over a long season, especially when exits remain possible.

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Oumar Solet Deal Makes Sense for Leeds United

Udinese are said to want €25m for Solet, with part of that fee heading to Juventus. That is a serious number, and Leeds will need to decide whether the player is worth paying at near-premium level. At 26, Solet is no development project. He would be expected to improve the back line immediately, physically and positionally.

Leeds have reasons to keep shopping. Pascal Struijk has gone to Brighton, while Maximilian Wöber is expected to move on and Sebastiaan Bornauw has long had uncertainty around his future. Suddenly, what looked like acceptable cover becomes thin very quickly.

Udinese Transfer Stance Leaves Leeds Decision

There is still no clear sign Leeds will meet the €25m asking price, but the persistence is notable. Clubs do not keep circling unless they believe there is a route to a deal, whether through structure, timing or pressure later in the window.

So this looks straightforward. Leeds want another centre-back, Udinese know his value, and Solet remains firmly on the shortlist. If Leeds are serious about avoiding another season of instability at the back, this is exactly the sort of deal they should be examining hard.

Our View

From a Leeds perspective, this feels like common sense. Too often, supporters see one incoming defender and are told the job is done. It rarely is. Injuries happen, form drops, and one or two exits can leave a squad looking badly undercooked by October. If the club are genuinely pushing for Solet as well as Muharemović, that is encouraging.

There is also a wider point here. Leeds cannot afford to be sentimental or passive in this market. If Farke believes the back line needs two additions, then get two additions. Simple. Last season exposed enough weaknesses for everyone to see, and replacing bodies is not the same as raising the level.

Solet sounds like a player who could do that. He has experience, he has presence, and he would arrive at an age where he should be ready to contribute straight away. Yes, €25m is a lot of money, but poor defending costs plenty too, in points, in momentum and eventually in league position.

Supporters will not complain if Leeds come out of this window with more strength, more competition and fewer obvious holes. If anything, they will ask why it took so long in previous windows. This one looks worth pursuing.